Women’s World Cup: Calls to recognise Lionesses with honours when they return from heroic campaign
England fans are calling for the Lionesses to be given honours and a homecoming parade following their efforts at the World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman‘s side suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in the final against Spain on Sunday.
It was Spain’s first major tournament win, and England’s first defeat under their Dutch coach in two years.
‘Pride’ over Lionesses – relive World Cup final as it happened
Spain lifted the trophy after a 1-0 win
England’s stars picked up runners-up medals after the final
Had the Lionesses won, they would have been the first England football team to lift a World Cup since 1966.
Despite falling short, many supporters are hoping they get a hero’s welcome when they fly back from Sydney.
“There should still be a homecoming parade or celebration for the Lionesses,” one posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“They need to know the effect and pride they have inspired throughout the tournament.”
Another said: “Gutted but so proud. I hope there is a homecoming parade for when they’re back, they deserve it.”
“Still want the parade,” said another post.
“I still want Trafalgar Square. I still want the laps of honour at their home grounds.”
Some fans are hoping for a parade through London and a visit to Downing Street or Buckingham Palace.
The Lionesses enjoyed raucous celebrations with tens of thousands of people in the capital after their last major tournament appearance, though that had seen them lift the European Championship trophy.
But they did not enjoy a Downing Street reception, prompting criticism of then prime minister Boris Johnson.
There was one planned for the men’s team after their Euros final defeat to Italy in 2021, but it was dropped amid a racism row that saw some players criticise ministers for their stance on taking the knee.
Gareth Southgate’s side did not enjoy a parade, either, despite some fans wishing to show their appreciation.
Previous men’s teams had been recognised for their near-miss campaigns, notably with a parade in Luton after the 1990 World Cup semi-finals.
Analysis: Spain turn disharmony into delirium to beat England
England’s Chloe Kelly in action with Spain’s Olga Carmona
England’s Lucy Bronze fights for the ball against Spain’s Mariona Caldentey
PM told to recognise Lionesses with honours
Rishi Sunak has repeatedly voiced his admiration for the Lionesses this summer, and hosted some stars at Downing Street earlier this year.
“We are all incredibly proud of you,” he posted on X after the final.
But he has batted away questions about how their World Cup efforts could be recognised when they return home, ruling out a bank holiday even if they had won the final.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had called for the day off in the event of victory, and was quick to call for honours following the match on Sunday.
“They’ve inspired a generation of women and girls to play football, take up sport, and to remove any doubt in their minds that they too can go all the way in their chosen field,” he said.
“There’s no doubt they should be recognised by the honours system.”
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey echoed the call, saying “everyone on the team” deserved an honour.
England fans watching at home were left devastated
Keeper Earps the pick of the bunch
Four Lionesses received honours earlier this year to mark their Euros success, with captain Leah Williamson – who missed the World Cup through injury – getting an OBE.
Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White were made MBEs, while Wiegman received an honorary CBE.
Fans and pundits alike will likely feel few deserve recognition more this time than goalkeeper Mary Earps, whose sublime performances saw her pick up the World Cup’s golden glove award.
The Manchester United star kept the Lionesses in the game against Spain, saving a second-half penalty from striker Jennifer Hermoso to stop them going 2-0 behind.
She had no chance with the only goal, a precise 29th minute strike into the bottom corner by Olga Carmona.
England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a penalty
Demand for replica shirts
Supporters will at the very least hope her heroics see England’s kit maker Nike put her replica shirt on sale, having refused before the tournament kicked off.
Nine-year-old Alice Grundy, a budding goalkeeper from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, describes Earps as her hero and wants the opportunity to wear her shirt.
Her mother, Kimberley Grundy, said Earps was “an inspiration” and Nike’s stance was “disgusting”.
Sophie Judge, who’s six and from Leeds, also wants an Earps shirt. Her mother, Leanne Judge, said she would “feel like she was playing the part of her hero”.
Sports giant Nike, which sells a men’s England goalkeeper shirt on its website for £80 as well as both men’s and women’s outfield players’ kits, has said it understands the demand and is “working towards solutions for future tournaments”.
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Wiegman: ‘We can be very proud of ourselves’
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‘Right now we’re just disappointed’
Once the Lionesses are back on home soil, they can look forward to some time off before their next game.
They will take on rivals Scotland in the Nations League at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on 22 September.
The domestic Women’s Super League does not return until 1 October.
UK
MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace steps down as Kirsty Wark among 13 who claim he made inappropriate sexual jokes
MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has stepped down over allegations he made a series of inappropriate sexual comments on a range of programmes over 17 years.
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark is among 13 people who have made claims, with Wallace being investigated by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK.
In an interview with the BBC, the Newsnight presenter, who was a celebrity contestant on MasterChef in 2011, claimed Wallace used “sexualised language”.
“There were two occasions in particular where he used sexualised language in front of a number of people and it wasn’t as if it was anyone engaged with this,” Wark said.
“It was completely one-way traffic. I think people were uncomfortable and something that I really didn’t expect to happen.”
Sky News has contacted Wallace’s representative for comment.
Kirsty Wark. File pic: PA
‘Fully cooperating’
Banijay UK said the complaints were made to the BBC this week by “individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with Gregg Wallace on one of our shows”.
The company said the 60-year-old, who has been a co-presenter and judge of the popular cooking show since 2005, was “committed to fully cooperating throughout the process”.
“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay UK, we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate,” the company said.
“While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.
“Banijay UK’s duty of care to staff is always a priority and our expectations regarding behaviour are made clear to both cast and crew on all productions, with multiple ways of raising concerns, including anonymously, clearly promoted on set.
“Whilst these are historical allegations, incidences brought to our attention where these expectations are not met, are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.
“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated.
“Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them.”
Previous investigation
Last month, Wallace responded to reports that a previous BBC review had found he could continue working at the corporation following reports of an alleged incident in 2018 when he appeared on Impossible Celebrities.
Wallace said those claims had been investigated “promptly” at the time and said he had not said “anything sexual” while appearing on the game show more than half a decade ago.
In an Instagram post following an article in The Sun newspaper, he wrote: “The story that’s hitting the newspapers was investigated promptly when it happened six years ago by the BBC.
“And the outcome of that was that I hadn’t said anything sexual. I’ll need to repeat this again. I didn’t say anything sexual.”
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Alongside MasterChef, Wallace presented Inside The Factory for BBC Two from 2015.
Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014. Pic: PA
Wallace has featured on various BBC shows over the years, including Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014.
He was made an MBE for services to food and charity last year.
Recorded episodes of MasterChef: The Professionals featuring Wallace will be transmitted as planned, the PA news agency understands.
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